Painkiller addiction?

[lknvrb4]

Is it possible to become addicted to them in 3 weeks? I had a shoulder injury and had to go to an immediate care facility which is also known for handing out pain pills for anything. I was given Tramadol 50 mg. I had been taking 2-3 a day for the last three weeks and quit taking them because my chiro actually made me feel better. Anyway for the last two days I have been feeling very anxious, unable to concentrate, runny nose, and my RLS is acting up. Yesterday I was almost in tears because I felt like I was losing it. I feel better today but still, is that even possible to have been addicted?

 

[Fire and Ice]

Short answer is "yes".

Especially to Tramadol. It is known for its addictive nature and it is VERY hard to get off of. It sounds like you are doing well though and paying attention to what your body is telling you. Each day that passes will get better and keep going to the chiro if you need to to make sure the pain doesn't come back. Aqua therapy is also very helpful and soothing if that is something you might want to do.

Take care of yourself and rest!

 

[Arkteia]

Any of them can be extremely addictive. It seems that "addiction" is not the right word in your case, though - you are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal but there is nothing else that would qualify for addiction.

Worst cases of withdrawal last for 6 days (unless it's methadone). So you may be over the "hump".

When Tramadol first appeared on the market, it was marketed as "non-addictive" painkiller. Another example of drug companies' lies. Worse, there is high risk of seizures associated with this medication.

As a psychiatrist and a Suboxone prescriber, I see horrible cases of real addiction to painkillers (usually more serious ones than Tramadol, though). It is a huge problem for the country, 4% of US population has been addicted to painkillers. (Now you understand, that usually babies and older people are not, so if you subtract this group, the real numbers will be much higher).

Sorry for getting on a tangent; I now feel almost emotional pain when I hear about it. As I am typing these words, I am on the phone with one more victim of irresponsible prescribers who give people Vicodin for toothache without thinking twice of possible consequences.

 

[lknvrb4]

Any of them can be extremely addictive. It seems that "addiction" is not the right word in your case, though - you are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal but there is nothing else that would qualify for addiction.

Worst cases of withdrawal last for 6 days (unless it's methadone). So you may be over the "hump".

When Tramadol first appeared on the market, it was marketed as "non-addictive" painkiller. Another example of drug companies' lies. Worse, there is high risk of seizures associated with this medication.

As a psychiatrist and a Suboxone prescriber, I see horrible cases of real addiction to painkillers (usually more serious ones than Tramadol, though). It is a huge problem for the country, 4% of US population has been addicted to painkillers. (Now you understand, that usually babies and older people are not, so if you subtract this group, the real numbers will be much higher).

Sorry for getting on a tangent; I now feel almost emotional pain when I hear about it. As I am typing these words, I am on the phone with one more victim of irresponsible prescribers who give people Vicodin for toothache without thinking twice of possible consequences.

I never in a million years would have thought I would have withdrawal symptoms from a painkiller. I was telling my DH that I can't imagine what it's like for people who are addicted to these kinds of things and trying to get off them. I seriously felt really out of my mind yesterday. I was telling him never again am I taking painkillers, its not worth feeling how I felt the past couple of days. I only took them because they helped ease the pain of my shoulder.